California Mesothelioma Attorneys and Asbestos Cancer Resources (CA)

California Mesothelioma Lawyers and Law Firms

California is ranked 1st in the U.S. for deaths from malignant mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare, deadly form of cancer caused by asbestos exposure.

Mounting a mesothelioma case is a complicated process. For that reason, victims of asbestos exposure may want to hire an experienced California mesothelioma attorney who can help them to potentially win a mesothelioma settlement. Sokolove Law’s California mesothelioma attorneys have helped thousands of people exposed to asbestos across the state get the help they deserve.

Those interested in filing a California mesothelioma lawsuit, or a lawsuit for any asbestos cancer or asbestos-related injury, are advised to contact a California mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible after diagnosis.

If you have any questions or need to contact Sokolove Law, please call the local phone number above or our toll-free number 888-360-4215 to speak with a mesothelioma paralegal.

Filing a California Mesothelioma Lawsuit

Those interested in filing a California mesothelioma lawsuit or in hiring a California mesothelioma lawyer should be aware that their legal rights may be restricted by California’s statute of limitations. A statute of limitations is the period of time you have until it is “too late” to file an asbestos or mesothelioma lawsuit. So you are advised to contact a California mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible after a mesothelioma diagnosis in order to file any lawsuits within the state’s statute of limitations.

An experienced California mesothelioma attorney can help you present your case and maximize your chances of winning a settlement in a court of law. To make sure that you are protected under the law and to build a strong case, a mesothelioma attorney will first need to obtain the following information:

Medical records confirming a diagnosis of mesothelioma or other asbestos disease

Death certificate with cause of death listed (if applicable)

Work history or military service to determine how and when the asbestos exposure occurred

It is important to know that even if your loved one has already lost their battle with mesothelioma, you may still have the right to file a claim.

Some Key California Asbestos Lawsuits

California courts have a history of being pro-plaintiff in asbestos lawsuits, with many of the cases brought by California mesothelioma lawyers awarding both actual and punitive damages to plaintiffs who are diagnosed with asbestos-related disease. Verdicts in these cases are often for damages in excess of $1 million.

While the standard one-year discovery rule for wrongful death cases does not apply in California asbestos cases, it is also worth noting that in the case Hamilton v. Asbestos Corporation, Ltd., the courts ruled that California mesothelioma lawyers working for plaintiffs who had previously filed suit for non-fatal asbestos-related breathing disorders may file a second lawsuit if and when they are diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-caused illness. The case further specified that asbestos disease claims may be filed any time up to one year after the plaintiff is unable to work in his or her regular occupation because of the asbestos-caused illness.

A number of other key asbestos lawsuits in California have returned a pro-plaintiff verdict. These include:

2000, Jeanette Franklin v. USX Corporation: The plaintiff was awarded $6.5 million for damages relating to asbestos cancer that arose after household exposure to asbestos during her childhood.

2000, Chavers v. Owens-Illinois, Inc.: Gatke Corporation: A San Francisco jury awarded over $4.6 million to a former Navy seaman afflicted with malignant mesothelioma caused by his occupational exposure to asbestos. The jury also concluded that the defendant was involved in a conspiracy dating to the 1930s in which several asbestos products manufacturers covered up facts about the dangers of their products and misrepresented the true nature of the risks posed to unsuspecting workers.

2002, Todak v. Foster Wheeler L.L.C.: The plaintiffs, a Navy electrician and his wife, received $33.7 million. As a result of his occupational exposure to asbestos, the electrician had developed mesothelioma. He was awarded $22.7 million; his wife was awarded $11 million for loss of consortium.

2006, David Bakkie v. Union Carbide Corporation: The plaintiff, a former plastics molder suffering from mesothelioma, was awarded over $18.5 million in damages.

2006, Joseph Garza and Mary Garza v. Asbestos Corporation Limited: A jury awarded over $1.1 million to a Navy veteran suffering from asbestosis and $400,000 to his wife for the loss of his companionship. The jury, ruling that the defendant acted with malice or oppression, added another $10 million in punitive damages.

See the topics below to learn more about asbestos exposure, doctors, and treatment centers in California. You can also call us at our toll-free number 888-360-4215 or fill out the form located at the right-hand side of this web page for a free legal consultation specific to your potential case